Apparatus for making carbon black



March 21, 1961 LATHAM, JR 2,976,127

APPARATUS FOR MAKING CARBON BLACK Filed Dec. 1, 1958 BY 74% jaw/gATTORNEY United States Patent APPARATUS FOR MAKING CARBON BLACK Burton.F. Latham, Jr., Amarillo, Tex., assignor to Continental Carbon Company,Amarillo, Tex., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 1, I958, Ser. No.777,427

4 Claims. (Cl. 23-2595) This invention relates to themanufacture ofcarbon black from petroleum oils or any type of hydrocarbons.

It is generally known in the art that the superior grades and smallerparticle size blacks are obtained by high temperature cracking reactionwhich proceeds to its conclusion in the shortest time possible; and thatthe high tem perature is attained by complete combustion of a fuel gasand the injection of hydrocarbon mist or vapor directly into the hotproducts of combustion. The admission of excess air into the combustionprocess is usually practiced in order to obtain additional heat frompartial combustion of the oil. It is equally well known that rapidmixing of the hydrocarbon mist or vapor with the hot products ofcombustion is essential for carbon black of the desired small-particlesize.

It is among the objects of the present invention to pro vide an improvedapparatus for making carbon black from hydrocarbon, such as petroleumoils, and particularly one wherein the combustion air and fuel gas aremixed by turbulence, the air-gas mixture ignited, and the hydrocarbon(in mist or vapor form) introduced into the flame base at the pointwhere combustion starts; and does not depend on prior completecombustion of gaseous fuel.

Another object is the provision, in an apparatus of the type described,of a cylindrical refractory chamber which is simple and less expensivein that there is no refractory inlet Wall.

Another object is the attainment of the foregoing advantages while alsoreducing the tendency toward the formation of coke on the walls of thecylindrical refractory chamber.

Still another object is to permit such regulation of the zone and degreeof flame turbulence as will enable better control of the quality of thecarbon black.

The foregoing and other features of the present invention will best beunderstood and appreciated from the following description of a typicalembodiment of the novel apparatus, selected for purposes of illustrationand shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation, partly in section, andillustrating a form of apparatus which embodies the teachings of thepresent invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1 andillustrating in detail a flame holder orifice plate and a flamedeflector disk which form part of the novel apparatus; and

Figures 3 and 4 are enlarged detailed elevational views, partly insection, which illustrate several different positions of theaforementioned flame deflector disk and the manner in which it controlsthe flame resulting from the combustion of the air-gas mixture inrelation to the oil spray.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 4 designates,as part of the reactor, an elongate cylindrical housing or shell whichis provided with a conventional refractory lining 5.

Suitably secured to one end of the elongate cylindrical a housing is acylindrical air box 8 of similar diameter which is provided with aradially extending air supply pipe 9.

'A cylindrical air baflle It) is concentrically mounted within thecylindrical air box 8, the same having approximately the same insidediameter as that of the refractory lining 5 of the cylindrical housing4.

As shown in Figure 1, the side wall of the cylindrical air baflle 10 isimperforate; and its outer end is spaced from the inner surface of theouter end-wall of the cylindrical air box 8. This construction andarrangement permits the air entering the air box 8 to be deflectedaround the annular space between the cylindrical air baflle 10 and theair box. From this point, the entering air is, as shown by arrows,distributed evenly around the an nular opening at the outer end of thecylindrical air baflle 10 as it is moved into the latter.

Between the inner end-wall of the cylindrical air box lining 5 is aflame holder orifice plate 12 having a large center orifice 14 and aseries of smaller peripheral orifices 16 which are adjacent the innerwall of said refractory.

lining. The flame holder orifice plate 12 is also provided with a seriesof orifices 18 which are disposed between the large center orifice 14and the aforementioned peripheral orifices 16, being of approximatelythe same size as the latter.

A fuel gas pipe 20 is disposed to extend through a sizable aperture 22in the center of the outer end-wall of the cylindrical air box 8 andalong the axis of the cylindrical air bafile 10.

The inner end of the gas pipe 26 carries a flame deflector disk 24 witha rearwardly extending sleeve 26, the inside diameter of which issubstantially larger than the outside diameter of the gas pipe. The gaspipe 20 is provided with a series of radial apertures 28 at a positionwhich is closely adjacent the inner, or rearward, surface of the flamedeflector disk 24.

The oil supply pipe is shown at 30, the same being concentricallydisposed with the gas pipe 20 and extending through a central aperturein the flame deflector disk 24. The inner end of the oil supply pipe 30,which projects beyond the flame deflector disk 24, carries a suitableoil spray nozzle 34.

As shown at the left-hand end of Figure 1, the rearward end of the gaspipe 20 is provided with a right angular bend 36 through which the oilsupply pipe 30 extends.

A plate 40 is detachably secured to the outer surface of the outerend-wall of the cylindrical air box 8, entirely covering the aperture22.

The center of this detachable plate 40 is apertured to receive the gaspipe 20 with its iuteriorly disposed oil supply pipe 30, a packing gland46 also being provided asshown.

The detachability of the plate 40, etc., permits the easy removal of thefuel gas pipe 20, oil supply pipe 30, flame deflector disk 24, and oilspray nozzle 34.

The fuel gas is supplied to the gas pipe 20 and flows along the annularspace between the latter and the internally (and concentrically)disposed oil supply pipe 30; and is discharged through the radialapertures 28 in the gas pipe which, as before stated, are closelyadjacent the rearward surface of the flame deflector disk 24.

The provision of the flame deflector disk 24 and its rearwardlyextending sleeve 26 resultsin the upstream deflection of the fuel gas asit moves through'the radial apertures 28 in the fuel gas pipe 20. Thisupstream deflection of the fuel gas in the manner immediately aforesaidis, of course, for a comparatively short dis,- tance; but, beingcountercurrent to the flow of air Patented Mar. 21, 1961,

8 through the comparatively large cylindrical air baffle 10, promotesthe intermixing of the air and gas preparatory to its passage throughthe orifices 16, 17 and 18 in the flame holder orifice plate 12.

The oil which is supplied through the oil supply pipe 30 is dischargedinto the reactor through the oil spray nozzle 34.

It will be understood that, when vaporized oil is used, the oil spraynozzle 34 may be removed.

The flame holder orifice plate 12 and the flame deflector disk 24control the distribution and turbulence of the air and fuel gas.Approximately two-thirds of the air is distributed into the refractoryreaction chamber through the large center orifice 14 in the flame holderorifice plate 12, the remaining one-third of the air (sometimes termedthe shielding air) being discharged into the reaction chamber throughthe smaller peripheral orifices 16 and the intermediately disposedorifices 18. The major portion of the shielding air is dischargedthrough the peripheral apertures 16 and along the iner wall of therefractory lining and this prevents the oil from coming into contactwith the refractory and forming coke. The remaining shielding air isdischarged into the refractory reaction chamber through theintermediately disposed orifices 18; and this assists in the cooling ofthe flame holder orifice plate 12.

The conduits (not shown) which supply fuel gas and oil to the gas pipe20 and the oil supply pipe 30 may be of any convenient flexible design;and, accordingly, the position of the flame deflector disk 24 may becontrolled by sliding the said pipes through the packing gland 46. Whenthe flame deflector disk 24 is positioned behind the large centerorifice 14, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, the air, fuel, gas andresulting flame are directed violently against the injected oilresulting in carbon black which is composed of very fine particles. Whenthe flame deflector disk 24 is disposed in front of the center orifice14 of the flame holder orifice plate, as shown in Figure 4, the air,fuel, gas and resulting flame are directed away from the injected oilresulting in a carbon black which is characterized by larger particles.Accordingly, control of the quality and grade of the carbon black may bemaintained by adjusting the position of the flame deflector disk 24, inthe manner described.

Referring to the right-hand portion of Figure l of the drawings, thecylindrical refractory reaction chamber is provided with a radial sprayport 50 through which there extends a water pipe 51, the latterterminating adjacent the centerline of the reaction chamber and beingprovided with a spray head 52 which is directed toward theinstrumentalities described earlier herein. The water spray delivered bythe spray head 52 stops the cracking action.

The carbon black produced in the reactor is removed from the effluentgases by means of any of the collecting devices which are well known tothe art; and the efliuent gases are discharged to the atmosphere.

In the event additional reaction time is required, additional sectionsof the elongate cylindrical refractory reactor may be utilized, asindicated at 4a and 5a at the right-hand end of Figure 1; it beingunderstood, however, that the water quench spray would be used to stopthe reaction in the last reactor section.

While I have shown and described several specific embodiments of thepresent invention, it will be readily understood that I do not wish tobe limited exactly thereto, since various modifications may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for making carbon black comprising a cylindrical combustionchamber; a centrally apertured plate secured to one endof saidcylindrical combustion chamber; a cylindrical air box secured to saidcentrally apertured plate; a cylindrical air baflle disposed concentrically within said cylindrical air box and having a substantiallyimperforate side-wall; the inside diameter of said cylindrical airbaflle being substantially the same as the inside diameter of saidcylindrical combustion chamber; the inner end of said cylindrical airbafiie terminating in contact with said centrally apertured plate andthe outer end thereof terminating proximate, but spaced from, the outerend-wall of said cylindrical air box; means for supplying air to saidcylindrical air box; a longitudinally adjustable fuel gas supply pipedisposed axially of said cylindrical air baffle and terminating adjacentsaid centrally apertured plate; a disk secured to the inner end of saidfuel gas supply pipe; said disk being of substantially greater diameterthan said fuel gas supply pipe and but slightly less diameter than thecentral aperture in said plate; the wall of said fuel gas supply pipehaving a series of radial apertures disposed adjacent the rearward sideof said disk; means carried by said disk for diverting rearwardly fuelgas which flows through said radial apertures; an oil supply pipedisposed concentrally in said fuel gas supply pipe and secured thereto;the inner end of said oil supply pipe extending through, and projectingslightly from, said disk; and means for cooling the hot gases andsuspended carbon black to a point where the reaction stops and the gasesare sufliciently cool to handle in a carbon black collecting device.

2. Apparatus for making carbon black comprising a cylindrical combustionchamber; a centrally apertured plate secured to one end of saidcylindrical combustion chamber; a cylindrical air box secured to saidcentrally apertured plate; a cylindrical air bafile disposedconcentrically within said cylindrical air box and having asubstantially imperforate side-wall; the inside diameter of saidcylindrical air baffle being substantially the same as the insidediameter of said cylindrical combustion chamber; the inner end of saidcylindrical air baffle terminating in contact with said centrallyapertured plate and the outer end thereof terminating proximate, butspaced from, the outer end-wall of said cylindrical air box; means forsupplying air to said cylindrical air box; a longitudinally adjustablefuel gas supply pipe disposed axially of said cylindrical air baflle andterminating adjacent said centrally apertured plate; a disk secured tothe inner end of said fuel gas supply pipe; said disk being ofsubstantially greater diameter than said fuel gas supply pipe and butslightly less diameter than the central aperture in said plate; saidcentrally apertured plate having a series of apertures disposed adjacentthe surface of the inner wall of said cylindrical combustion chamber andproviding communication between it and the interior of said cylindricalair box; the wall of said fuel gas supply pipe having a series of radialapertures disposed adjacent the rearward side of said disk; meanscarried by said disk for diverting rearwardly fuel gas which flowsthrough said radial apertures; an oil supply pipe disposedconcentrically in said fuel gas supply pipe and secured thereto; theinner end of said oil supply pipe extending through, and projectingslightly from, said disk; and means for cooling the hot gases andsuspended carbon black to a point where the reaction stops and the gasesare sufficiently cool to handle in a carbon black collecting device.

3. Apparatus for making carbon black comprising a cylindrical combustionchamber; a centrally apertured plate secured to one end of saidcylindrical combustion chamber; a cylindrical air box secured to saidcentrally apertured plate; a cylindrical air baffle disposedconcentrically within said cylindrical air box and having asubstantially imperforate side-wall; the inside diameter of saidcylindrical air bafile being substantially the same as the insidediameter of said cylindrical combustion chamber; the inner end of saidcylindrical air baflie terminating in contact with said centrallyapertured plate and the outer end thereof terminating proximate, butspaced from,

the outer end-wall of said cylindrical air box; means for supplying airto said cylindrical air box; a longitudinally adjustable fuel gas supplypipe disposed axially of said cylindrical air baffle and terminatingadjacent said centrally apertured plate; a disk secured to the inner endof said fuel gas supply pipe; said disk being of substantially greaterdiameter than said fuel gas supply pipe and but slightly less diameterthan the central aperture in said plate; said centrally apertured platehaving. a series of apertures disposed adjacent the surface of the innerwall of said cylindrical combustion chamber and providing communicationbetween it and the interior of said cylindrical air box; said centrallyapertured plate also having a series of apertures between saidlast-mentioned apertures and said central aperture; the wall of saidfuel gas supply pipe having a series of radial apertures disposedadjacent the rearward side of said disk; means carried by said disk fordiverting rearwardly fuel gas which flows through said radial apertures;an oil supply pipe disposed concentrically in said fuel gas supply pipeand secured thereto; the inner end of said oil supply pipe extendingthrough, and projecting slightly from, said disk; and means for coolingthe hot gases and suspended carbon black to a point where the reactionstops and the gases are sufficiently cool to handle in a carbon blackcollecting device.

4. Apparatus for making carbon black comprising a cylindrical combustionchamber; a centrally apertured plate secured to one end of saidcylindrical combustion chamber; a cylindrical air box secured to saidcentrally apertured plate; a cylindrical air baffie disposedconcentrically within said cylindrical air box and having asubstantially imperforate side-wall, the inside diameter of saidcylindrical air bafile being substantially the same as the insidediameter of said cylindrical combustion chamber;

the inner end of said cylindrical air baflie terminating in contact withsaid centrally apertured plate and the outer end thereof terminatingproximate, but spaced from, the outer end-wall of said cylindrical airbox; means for supplying air to said cylindrical air box; alongitudinally adjustable fuel gas supply pipe disposed axially of saidcylindrical air bame and terminating adjacent said centrally aperturedplate; a disk secured to the inner end of said fuel gas supply pipe;said disk being of substantially greater diameter than said fuel gassupply pipe and but slightly less diameter than the central aperture insaid plate; said disk having a rearwardly extending sleeve; the wall ofsaid fuel gas supply pipe having a series of radial apertures disposedadjacent the rearward side of said disk; an oil supply pipe disposedconcentrically in said fuel gas supply pipe and secured thereto; theinner end of said oil supply pipe extending through, and projectingslightly from, said disk; and means for cooling the hot gases andsuspended carbon black to a point where the reaction stops and the gasesare sufliciently cool to handle in a carbon black collecting device.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,117,968 Lutherer May 17, 1938 2,216,508 Zink Oct. 1, 1940 2,632,501Clark Mar. 24, 1953 2,682,450 Sweigart et al June 29, 1954 2,825,633Steele Mar. 4, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 654,864 Great Britain July 4, 1951519,163 Canada Dec. 6, 1955

1. APPARATUS FOR MAKING CARBON BLACK COMPRISING A CYLINDRICAL COMBUSTIONCHAMBER, A CENTRALLY APERTURED PLATE SECURED TO ONE END OF SAIDCYLINDRICAL COMBUSTION CHAMBER; A CYLINDRICAL AIR BOX SECURED TO SAIDCENTRALLY APERTURED PLATE; A CYLINDRICAL AIR BAFFLE DISPOSEDCONCENTRICALLY WITHIN SAID CYLINDRICAL AIR BOX AND HAVING ASUBSTANTIALLY IMPERFORATE SIDE-WALL; THE INSIDE DIAMETER OF SAIDCYLINDRICAL AIR BAFFLE BEING SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME AS THE SIDE DIAMETEROF SAID CYLINDRICAL COMBUSTION CHAMBER; THE INNER END OF SAIDCYLINDRICAL AND AIR BAFFLE TERMINATING IN CONTACT WITH SAID CENTRALLYAPERTURED PLATE AND THE OUTER END THEREOF TERMINATING PROXIMATE, BUTSPACED FROM, THE OUTER END-WALL OF SAID CYLINDRICAL AIR BOX; MEANS FORSUPPLYING AIR TO SAID CYLINDRICAL AIR BOX; A LONGITUDINALLY ADJUSTABLEFUEL GAS SUPPLY PIPE DISPOSED AXIALLY OF SAID CYLINDRICAL AIR BAFFLE ANDTERMINATING ADJACENT SAID CENTRALLY APERTURED PLATE; A DISK SECURED TO